Make Networking Your Friend

In the IT world, getting a job is about what you know – but it is also about who you know. When you work your network effectively, you can find out about open job opportunities and get the insider info necessary for finding a new position or advancing your career. If you come with a personal recommendation, hiring managers are also more inclined to take a second look and consider bringing you in for an interview.

Networking can be a challenge, but you may already have a big group of potential professional contacts you can turn to. You can also take some steps to get to know professionals within your industry to become more effective at making the necessary contacts. Here are some of the different ways you can make networking work for you.

• Don't underestimate the people you know. You may have friends, relatives and neighbors who work in IT or whose companies have the need for information technology services. Sit down and make a list of the people who are in your life who could put you in contact with hiring managers who are looking for information technology workers. You will be surprised at the number of people on your list, especially when you think about every aspect of your life.

• Make the effort to keep in touch with your network even when you don't need them.  You don't want to call on your network only when you're looking for information or when you are looking for favors. When you have a great job or aren't currently actively seeking work, reach out to your contacts and keep in touch. Build on your professional relationships by sharing information and making regular contact so you'll have a strong network if you actually need one. Share an article, arrange lunches or just drop them a message. That will go a long way.

• Work to meet more people in the IT industry. The bigger your network, the more beneficial it can be in helping to advance your career. Use social media, networking events, and industry-specific conferences and programs to try to meet more people and build on your connections. If you have a quiet personality, connect with professionals through LinkedIn or Facebook to open the dialogue prior to a professional event. That will make the initial in-person conversation easier.

You can also turn to an IT staffing service to tap into a vast professional network of hundreds of businesses hiring information technology professionals.

For more than 20 years, Technology Partners has built an industry-wide reputation with some of the biggest companies and the best names in the technology field. When you turn to a leader in information technology recruitment for help finding your new career, you can benefit from the scope and breadth of our networks as we help you to find a position for which you'd be a great fit. Give Technology Partners a call today at 877-636-1331 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help.